UTSA students host 18-hour dance marathon to beat childhood cancer

(March 20, 2013) -- The UTSA student organization For the Kids (FTK) will host its fourth annual 18-hour, high-energy, no-sitting, no-sleeping Dance Marathon from 7 p.m., Friday, April 5 to 1 p.m., Saturday, April 6 in the UTSA Convocation Center on the UTSA Main Campus. The marathon celebrates the organization’s yearlong fundraising efforts for children with cancer and their families.

In 2012, the FTK Dance Marathon at UTSA raised more than $35,000, becoming the largest student-led philanthropy in San Antonio. In partnership with high schools from across South Texas, the UTSA FTK Dance Marathon will feature a group of FTK dancers who participate by standing and dancing for 18 hours while interacting and performing with the children and their families.

The goal of FTK is to raise awareness while providing financial and emotional support for the children and their families affected by childhood cancer. FTK fundraises year-round for the FTK Fund at the Children's Hospital of San Antonio. In addition to raising money, the FTK students regularly spend time with the children at the hospital.

On average, 12,500 children in the United States are diagnosed with cancer each year. Although survival rates for many childhood cancers have improved dramatically over the last few decades, cancer is still the leading cause of death by disease in children.

Anyone can sign up to participate in the FTK Dance Marathon and help make an impact on the lives of San Antonio families battling childhood cancer.

Come out and enjoy breakfast and beverages at the Official UTSA Tailgate in Albuquerque as our Roadrunners take on the New Mexico Lobos at the Gildan New Mexico Bowl. The official UTSA tailgate will be located in Fan Fest in the University Stadium Parking Lot, Stadium East.
University Stadium parking lot, Albuquerque, NM

Graduates from the College of Architecture, Construction and Planning, College of Business, College of Education and Human Development and the College of Public Policy will participate in the first commencement ceremony. President Romo will deliver the keynote address.
Alamodome

Graduates from the College of Engineering, College of Liberal and Fine Arts, College of Sciences and University College will participate in the second commencement ceremony. President Romo will deliver the keynote address.
Alamodome

All UTSA students, faculty and staff are invited to march with UTSA in the 30th annual MLK March. There will be a FREE shuttle from the UTSA Main Campus. Pick up in front of the Convocation Center at 8:30 a.m. Depart from UTSA at 9 a.m. Buses return to UTSA at 1 p.m
Convocation Center, Main Campus

UTSA's Department of Music hosts Dr. David Huron from Ohio State University as part of the Donald Hodges lecture series. Huron is a Canadian arts and humanities distinguished professor at Ohio State University.
John Peace Library, UTSA Faculty Center, (JPL 4.04.22), Main Campus

The Student Center for Community Engagement and Inclusion annually hosts a Volunteer Opportunities Fair to allow students, faculty and staff to learn about volunteer and service-learning opportunities in the San Antonio area.
University Center, 1st floor corridor, Main Campus

UTSA's Mission

The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.

UTSA's Vision

To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.

UTSA's Core Values

We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.